#cruiseliners - The biggest cruiseship to call to Belfast Harbour this year docked in the port this morning, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The impressive Regal Princess at 330m had berthed at Stormont Wharf Extension which is just 20m longer. The extension to the wharf having taken place in recent years to accommodate such ever increasing sized cruiseships. 

On board there are up to 3,600 passenger who had sailed overnight from Greenock, Scotland as part of a 26 day Copenhagen to New York Cruise. The cruise includes visits to locations in Russia, Norway, Germany, Estonia, Finland, Sweden and Denmark.

Today's visit by passengers to Belfast and beyond will almost be 8-hours, however in the context of the cruiseship, this is the fourth visit. The inaugural call was in 2003.

By the end of 2017, it is estimated that Belfast Harbour will play host to 150,000 cruise visitors. As the city port is the gateway for international visitors to visit the many sights and attractions of the city and throughout Northern Ireland has to offer.

Asides Princess, the port's cruise clients include other big names such as Celebrity, Silversea, Majestic, Fred Olsen and relative newcomer Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV).

A late afternoon departure is scheduled for Regal Princess which will make an overnight passage through the Irish Sea. The next port of call is Cobh, Cork Harbour.